Whats Your Definition of a Engine Builder

[Malvn]

I often wondered what many consider the definition is of a engine builder??

[Mike Rogers]

Some one who designs ,machines and assemble the engine.

[jl4049]

Someone capable of assembling an engine, correctly checking tolerances and clearances, machining where necessary to correct where less than optimal, able to do this for more than one type of engine and actually get it right 99% of the time (no one is perfect, I don't care who you are, everyone screws up once in a while. A good engine builder will stand behind his work and if he has screwed up, will put right).
I.E someone who can actually do more than bolt a bunch of catalog parts together.
Some of the above guys have a genuine love of a particular type of engine, these are the ones I use if I have a choice as they are more inclined to be able to help out after the initialbuild a little more

[clevo]

[quote="jl4049"]Someone capable of assembling an engine, correctly checking tolerances and clearances, machining where necessary to correct where less than optimal, able to do this for more than one type of engine and actually get it right 99% of the time (no one is perfect, I don't care who you are, everyone screws up once in a while. A good engine builder will stand behind his work and if he has screwed up, will put right).
I.E someone who can actually do more than bolt a bunch of catalog parts together.
Some of the above guys have a genuine love of a particular type of engine, these are the ones I use if I have a choice as they are more inclined to be able to help out after the initialbuild a little more [/quote

Totally agree with the above ! X2

[Dragsinger]

in addition, a person who has years of practical experience. A person who can build a complete engine package with all accessories. Then when that engine package is put to work on the track or on the street it will perform as expected. A person who really understands why/how combinations perform.

And very important, a person who has a large network of suppliers and "go to" connections that allow him access to the required parts, machine work and information. He will be a trustworthy person with a good reputation of successful builds.

[wjnielsen]

Someone capable of assembling an engine, correctly checking tolerances and clearances, machining where necessary to correct where less than optimal, able to do this for more than one type of engine and actually get it right 99% of the time (no one is perfect, I don't care who you are, everyone screws up once in a while. A good engine builder will stand behind his work and if he has screwed up, will put right).
I.E someone who can actually do more than bolt a bunch of catalog parts together.
Some of the above guys have a genuine love of a particular type of engine, these are the ones I use if I have a choice as they are more inclined to be able to help out after the initialbuild a little more

Totally agree with the above ! X2

X3. I'd say that's the definition of a competent engine builder. Don't know how it could be put much better.

-Bill

[CNC BLOCKS]

Some one who designs ,machines and assemble the engine.

X2 and guys who have to farm everything and do no machine work or buys everything out a box I would call an engine assembler.

There is surly a differance between the two.

This should be a good debate!!!

[uncle paul]

If someone is willing to "build" you a motor for alot less then anyone else RUN!

2X with Carl adding in that an assembler does always know how to tune a motor correctly.

[k-star]

Does the guy have a build sheet with all the spec's, parts etc???

Does he own measuring equipment to check bearing size,cam location,rod stretch, etc??

Can he give you names and numbers of past customers??

What is the overall look of the shop, clean, crusty? (don't mix up clutter or alot of work laying around with dirty)

Some of the things I tell guys to look for. I think there are a few guys with-out equipment that are good builders, but are few and far between. I also know that there are guys with shops full of equipment that should not be building engines.

I rememebr a long time ago I was building a engine on a Saturday afternoon. I had an issue with a bearing or something I can't remember exactly what it was. I called a few of the local HEROS at that time and asked them what I should do. All of them said just run it, the guy will never know. That really stuck with me on how ASSEMBLERS think. I had to let it sit till I found the correct answer for the issue. I could never have left an engine leave with my name on it, knowing something was not right. I guess thats how I view the difference between the two.

Keith

[donc]

someone who is way underpaid

[Keith Morganstein]

Add to all that:

Someone that takes a whole bunch of parts that don't really fit together, modifies, massages, makes a few pieces, then gets it all to work and wins with the results.

[sam-missle]

Add to all that:

Someone that takes a whole bunch of parts that don't really fit together, modifies, massages, makes a few pieces, then gets it all to work and wins with the results.

Very well said.

[CamKing]

Someone who can degree in a cam.

[ap72]

Someone who can degree in a cam.

I did my first one when I was 15 with a degree wheel I made myself with a couple of drafting tools and a piece of sheet metal. I HOPE an engine builder has to do more than that.

[SchmidtMotorWorks]

Maybe I missed it but I didn't see any mention of:

Correctly choosing a set of compatible parts to make an effective combination for a specific performance goal.